JAMB Explains Conditions For Underage Gaining Admission Into Tertiary Institutions 

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has clarified its policy on underage candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions, stating that candidates below 16 years can sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination(UTME) but must meet additional conditions to qualify for admission.

JAMB made the clarification in a video posted on its X account on Thursday as part of its “JAMB Explained” series, titled “5 Frequently Asked Questions About Underage Admission.”

According to the Board, an underage candidate is any applicant who has not attained the age of 16 by September 30 of the admission year.

“An underage candidate is someone less than 16 years on or before 30th of September of an admission year,” JAMB stated.

The Board explained that the September 30 age cut-off was a policy instituted by the Federal Ministry of Education.

For the 2026 admission exercise, candidates must therefore be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026, to avoid being classified as underage.

Underage Candidates Can Sit For UTME

JAMB clarified that candidates below the stipulated age are not barred from participating in the UTME.

“Can someone who is less than 16 participate in the UTME? Yes, but they’ll be regarded as underage,” the Board said.

However, JAMB stressed that sitting for the examination does not automatically qualify an underage candidate for admission into a tertiary institution.

80% Benchmark For Exceptional Candidates

The Board said underage candidates seeking admission must meet a higher performance threshold to be considered.

“An underage candidate must score 80 per cent in UTME, post-UTME and O-level screening to be eligible for admission,” JAMB stated.

The requirement means that candidates below the prescribed age must demonstrate exceptional academic performance across the specified examinations and screening processes before they can be considered for admission.

JAMB further explained that underage candidates are ordinarily not considered for admission unless they meet the criteria for classification as exceptional candidates.

“Underage candidates are not considered for admission unless they qualify as exceptional candidates,” the Board said.

The clarification means that participation in the UTME, regardless of a candidate’s score, does not by itself override the minimum age requirement for admission.

80% Score Does Not Guarantee Admission

JAMB also cautioned underage candidates that meeting the 80 per cent benchmark does not guarantee an admission offer.

The Board said the final decision would depend on the institution selected by the candidate.

“Please note that your admission is solely dependent on the choice of your institution,” it stated.

The clarification is particularly important for candidates who will not have attained 16 by September 30, 2026, as they can participate in the UTME but must satisfy the additional requirements before they can be considered for admission.

JAMB said the explanation was part of its ongoing “JAMB Explained” series aimed at providing candidates with clearer information on its admission policies and procedures.